Porsche’s electric 718 sports car has been delayed long enough to make enthusiasts wonder whether it was quietly headed for cancellation, but the company says the project is still alive. The next-generation replacement for the Boxster and Cayman has been discussed since the Mission R concept appeared in 2021, and it was originally expected to reach customers in 2025. Now, with 2026 moving along and no production model revealed yet, Porsche CEO Michael Leiters has stepped in to reassure fans that the electric 718 remains part of the plan.
According to InsideEVs, citing an interview Leiters gave to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Porsche decided to continue with the electric 718 because it believes the model is the right move economically and “will be a fantastic car.” That is an important statement because recent reports from Bloomberg suggested Porsche had been reevaluating parts of its EV strategy amid rising development costs, cooling demand, and pressure to improve profitability. In other words, the 718 EV may have survived an internal reality check.
That does not mean Porsche’s broader EV strategy has been smooth. Taycan demand has softened from its earlier highs, and the electric Macan has had the difficult job of replacing one of Porsche’s most popular gas-powered models in several markets. Porsche has also shifted plans for future products, including moving its upcoming flagship SUV away from an EV-only strategy and toward gas and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The company is even working on a new combustion-powered entry SUV expected around 2028, which shows how much the market has changed since Porsche first outlined its electric sports car future.
The 718 EV still makes sense because a lightweight, compact Porsche sports car has always been about more than raw numbers. Technical details remain limited, but expectations include an 800-volt electrical architecture for fast charging, along with single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive versions. Spy photos suggest Porsche is keeping the familiar low-slung proportions of the Boxster and Cayman, while adding new lighting details and EV-specific packaging. The challenge will be making the car feel like a Porsche 718, not just an electric car wearing the badge.
Pricing will likely move upward compared with the outgoing gas-powered 718 models. The 718 has long served as Porsche’s entry-level sports car, but an electric platform, advanced battery hardware, and Porsche’s premium positioning mean the new car will probably cost noticeably more than the previous Boxster and Cayman. It should still sit below the 911, but the gap between Porsche’s entry sports car and its flagship rear-engine icon may not feel as wide as it once did.
For now, the biggest takeaway is that Porsche has not abandoned the electric 718. The delay may frustrate enthusiasts, but it may also give Porsche more time to refine a car that has to satisfy two very different audiences: EV buyers looking for cutting-edge performance and longtime Porsche fans who care deeply about steering feel, balance, braking confidence, and driver connection. If Porsche gets that mix right, the 718 EV could become more than a delayed project. It could become the car that proves an electric sports car can still carry the soul of Stuttgart.
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
